Author

Jul 8, 2019

THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD By: Claire Lombardo Published: June 25, 2019 Publisher: Doubleday Books Fiction We all have that family that we idolize. There is that idyllic family that is always happy, always seems to have everything fall into place, and their kids are successful and beautiful. In Lombardo’s debut novel, that family…

Sep 10, 2018

GOOD APPLES: Behind Every Bite By: Susan Futrell Published: September 1, 2017 Publisher: University of Iowa Press Non-Fiction Do you have a favorite apple? Have you ever thought of the work and care that goes into the planting, harvesting, and selling of the apples? Susan Futrell’s book takes readers through the history of the very…

Aug 1, 2018

This is my monthly roundup of books that arrived on my shelves in July. I also share a bit of what’s been going on in our family’s lives as well. As I type this we are looking at one more week before our oldest leaves for college. It is bittersweet as I am so excited…

Jul 17, 2018

HEART LAND By: Kimberly Stuart Published: July 17, 2018 Publisher: Howard Books – Simon & Schuster Fiction/Women’s Fiction * This article first appeared in The Cedar Rapids Gazette on Sunday, July 15, 2018. * Returning home to Iowa is not exactly what Grace Kleran had in mind. She never looked back after high…

Feb 9, 2018

OUR STORY BEGINS Your Favorite Authors and Illustrators Share Fun, Inspiring, and Occasionally Ridiculous Things They Wrote and Drew as Kids Edited by: Elissa Brent Weissman Published: July 4, 2017 Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Non-Fiction I have a daughter who loves to write. In fact, just a few weeks ago, she showed me…

Jun 26, 2017

STARS OVER CLEAR LAKE A Novel By: Loretta Ellsworth Published: May 2, 2017 Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Fiction/Historical Fiction Most of the WWII stories I read are set in Europe with a few set in the US, but usually on the coast. What grabbed my attention about this particular WWII novel was that it was…

Mar 31, 2017

IOWA STATE CYCLONES FOOTBALL A TO Z By: Coach Sloth Illustrated by: Adam Schartup Published: February 7, 2017 Publisher: Mascot Books Non-Fiction After seeing a book on Ohio State, Ryan Sloth contacted the publisher to see if they had any similar books about Iowa State. When they said no, he agreed to write one. Sloth’s…

Mar 27, 2017

Are you looking for a way to be introduced to new or independent authors? Are you wanting to try a new genre that you’ve never read before? Would you like to find a new author that you can add to your favorites list? All these things can happen if you check out the Navigating Indieworld’s…

Nov 21, 2016

VENGEANCE By: Eric Prochaska Published: August 26, 2016 Publisher: Endeavour Press Fiction/Thriller Imagine finding out your brother died in an accident. You have to return to the place you swore you’d never go back to. Then, when you muster up the strength to face your family at the visitation you find out the accident the…

Oct 10, 2016

THE MATCHMAKERS OF MINNOW BAY: A Novel By: Kelly Harms Published: August 9, 2016 Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books Fiction/Contemporary Fiction Kelly Harms’ sophomore novel focuses on Lily, an artist, who has lived her life relying on others to clean up her life-messes. Her best friend, Renee, doesn’t seem to have much time for her in her…